Small Boat News...

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Posted by ThomV on January 28, 2005 at 06:15:10

Iain Oughtred has put forth a new rowing â€“ sail assisted design in the double ended Norse tradition called a Skerrieskiff. The term apparently refers to a small boat able to carry two or three persons found on the east coast of Great Briton. Ian has drawn two sizes - a Skerrieskiff 15 and a Skerrieskiff 17 - and simplified the construction for building in plywood. With planning they can be built up to a rough level in 10 days.

These skiffs are Oughtredâ€™s blend of the Norwegian Faering with their pointy ends and the American Dory with their wide sturdy flat bottoms. The sides are two plywood strakes showing a sweet sheer line in the Oughtred style. There are two rowing stations and a small dagger board cut into the forward fore/aft thwart to help facilitate a small sail. These skiffs may not be roaring to windward performers, however, their ability to carry a decent load, handle a short choppy sea and go onto the hard with ease, make them fine beach campers.